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Q: I know you have your racquet coming up for the public to buy. How much is that version different from the one you use? How much input have you had in sort of the mainstream version. I know you did a lot of tinkering with the one you used.

Federer: Yeah, basically it’s a year ago where I started the racquet testing after Wimbledon. Anyway, it’s a long process. But actually, it all went pretty quickly because I did not use it again here actually for this tournament. Right before I switched my mind, I switched and I said, Okay, I’ll play the year normally.
After all the back issues I had I needed to first figure out what’s going on with my game and my back. So I really lost a few months there.
So the change was swift. I’m happy now that you can buy it. It’s the one I’m playing with. They are going to make it in three different versions. The one exactly I’m playing with, and then I think two lighter versions of it for younger people or weaker people, you know, who can carry such a heavy racquet.
Not that mine is crazy, but it’s good to have the choice. I’m very excited, because I have been playing pretty much with the same racquet since 2002 with some little adjustments here and there, but never to the extreme of changing the size of the racquet the way it is now.
So this is a major change for me, and I’m happy I have made the switch. I’m happy with the way I’m playing.

Q: Do you think the racquet is more important or strings, tension?

Federer:I mean, everything is on the racquet. Strings I use, what tension I use, the weight of the racquet it is, all the information is on the racquet.
So when you go buy it, it’s the one I’m playing with, which was the most important thing for Wilson, myself. That racquet does exist, of course.

Slowly but surely Wilson is revealing more details on the racquet Roger Federer has been playtesting for 2014. What is this black Wilson Federer racquet you ask? Being a Wilson Pro Staff player his entire professional career, imagine what goes into a player of Federer’s caliber changing racquets at this stage of his career. Federer has been all but alone on the ATP World Tour in continuing to use a racquet 90 square inch headsize. As opponents have grown bigger, stronger, faster, and more spin-oriented, apparently the time has finally come for Roger to get with the times and update to a more contemporary 97 square inch frame size. The results so far in 2014 seem to indicate this is the right move, with Federer playing more competitive tennis than he has in years.

What does this mean for the average consumer? For starters, fans of Federer who want to play with the same racquet, can actually play with the same racquet! The Pro Staff 97RF Autograph is made to the exact same specification as Roger’s frame, down to the shape of the pallet on the handle, as well as the hefty 12.5 ounce strung weight. The 97 square inch headsize is likely more appropriate for the non-professional player as well, than the ultra control oriented 90 square inch model available for RF fans. Always wonder how many of those who bought the 90 could actually play with it? As of this post, the final cosmetic has not been released to the public, with Roger still using a blacked-out frame in his most recent tournaments. Rumor has it that the final cosmetic will be rolled out sometime prior to the US Open in August. A flat beam design remains consistent with previous generations of Pro Staff, albeit now in a wider 21.5mm thickness for added pop and forgiveness.

The Pro Staff line will also see updates in the way of a Pro Staff 97 which is about an ounce lighter than the RF97 Autograph. Wilson Spin Effect string patterns will also be options in the form of a Pro Staff 97LS and a Pro Staff 95S.